Basudde’s Widow, Son Resuscitate His Defunct Kadongokamu Group
Jan 08, 2004
In 1998, Kabuladda Professional Singers had established themselves as the rulers of Kadongokamu music in Uganda. But they started declining following the death of Herman Basudde, the group’s leader and founder. Two years ago, the group sank into oblivion.
By Elvis Basudde
In 1998, Kabuladda Professional Singers had established themselves as the rulers of Kadongokamu music in Uganda. But they started declining following the death of Herman Basudde, the group’s leader and founder. Two years ago, the group sank into oblivion.
But last Saturday, Kabuladda surprised their fans when they made a dramatic comeback.
The action was at Happyland Theatre, Kibuye where they crooned to ardent fans of the late Basudde, songs that rekindled his memories.
“We cannot quit music because it is within our veins. It is our livelihood. We have been composing new songs,†Aisha Nakitto, Basudde’s widow said.
“We have been having financial problems to run the group. Our instruments were old. But Ali Ndaula of Radio Simba has enabled us to resurface,†Joseph Katamba, Basudde’s son added,
The group’s new songs are creative and should be able to keep their fans spellbound.
Basudde was a songwriter, composer, instrumentalist and a story teller who used his music to narrate stories. As the adage goes — like father, like son — it couldn’t be more true in Basudde’s family. Katamba, his son, is all set to follow in his father’s footsteps.
His new album, ‘Ewa Eriya ne Namyalo’ is proof. He sings like his father and he has his story telling skill.
Nakitto, the widow, also has a new six-track album, “Eddundiro lya Herman.†It gives her late husband’s profile, the profile of the group and the story of the tragedy.
Kabuladda Professional Signers under the leadership of Nakitto and Katamba has 24 members. Most of them used to sing with Basudde before he died.
They seem to be fully recovered from both the shock of tragically losing their master and mentor and also from the injuries they sustained in the same tragedy.
Ends
In 1998, Kabuladda Professional Singers had established themselves as the rulers of Kadongokamu music in Uganda. But they started declining following the death of Herman Basudde, the group’s leader and founder. Two years ago, the group sank into oblivion.
But last Saturday, Kabuladda surprised their fans when they made a dramatic comeback.
The action was at Happyland Theatre, Kibuye where they crooned to ardent fans of the late Basudde, songs that rekindled his memories.
“We cannot quit music because it is within our veins. It is our livelihood. We have been composing new songs,†Aisha Nakitto, Basudde’s widow said.
“We have been having financial problems to run the group. Our instruments were old. But Ali Ndaula of Radio Simba has enabled us to resurface,†Joseph Katamba, Basudde’s son added,
The group’s new songs are creative and should be able to keep their fans spellbound.
Basudde was a songwriter, composer, instrumentalist and a story teller who used his music to narrate stories. As the adage goes — like father, like son — it couldn’t be more true in Basudde’s family. Katamba, his son, is all set to follow in his father’s footsteps.
His new album, ‘Ewa Eriya ne Namyalo’ is proof. He sings like his father and he has his story telling skill.
Nakitto, the widow, also has a new six-track album, “Eddundiro lya Herman.†It gives her late husband’s profile, the profile of the group and the story of the tragedy.
Kabuladda Professional Signers under the leadership of Nakitto and Katamba has 24 members. Most of them used to sing with Basudde before he died.
They seem to be fully recovered from both the shock of tragically losing their master and mentor and also from the injuries they sustained in the same tragedy.
Ends